Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport where our representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. This first day is kept easy to help you rest after your international flight and adjust to Nepal’s environment. If you arrive early, you can explore Thamel for last-minute trekking essentials or enjoy a relaxed walk around the city. In the evening, we provide a detailed trek briefing covering permits for the Manaslu restricted area, trekking safety, altitude considerations, accommodation standards, and the day-by-day walking plan so you start the trek well-prepared and confident.

Today is a cultural day and an important preparation day before heading into the remote Manaslu region. You will visit key UNESCO heritage sites such as Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath, gaining insight into Nepal’s Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This light sightseeing also helps keep you active without gaining altitude. Later, you’ll complete final gear checks, confirm permits, and review safety guidelines with your guide, ensuring everything is organized for the trek’s remote trails and higher elevations.

After breakfast, you drive from Kathmandu toward Machha Khola following riverside highways and mountain roads. The journey is scenic and adventurous, passing terraced hills, small towns, suspension bridges, and deep river valleys along the Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki corridors. As you travel farther from the city, you’ll notice the landscape become more rugged and remote. Machha Khola is a small riverside settlement that serves as an excellent starting point for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

Your first trekking day begins along the Budhi Gandaki River with a trail that includes narrow gorges, small waterfalls, terraced farmland, and suspension bridges. You pass traditional villages and riverside settlements where local life is simple and welcoming. The scenery is lush and green, and the trail gradually gains altitude in a comfortable way. Jagat is an important checkpoint village and one of the first major settlements inside the Manaslu restricted region, with a strong traditional village atmosphere.

Today’s trail continues deeper into the Manaslu region through forests, stone stair sections, and small villages built along the mountainsides. You’ll cross multiple bridges, pass mani walls and Buddhist prayer flags, and witness a gradual shift in culture as Tibetan influence becomes stronger. The day is long but rewarding, with increasingly dramatic valley scenery and fewer crowds. Deng is a quiet village with a remote feel, perfect for resting and preparing for higher elevation trekking ahead.

The trail climbs steadily today as you enter more alpine terrain. You walk through forest trails and riverside sections, passing traditional stone villages and Buddhist landmarks. The scenery becomes increasingly Himalayan, with bigger peaks and deeper valleys visible in the distance. Namrung is a beautiful mountain settlement where you can enjoy your first stronger views of Manaslu and surrounding peaks, and you will feel the atmosphere change as you move into higher Tibetan-influenced areas.

Today is a shorter but scenic day with a steady climb into higher alpine landscapes. The trail passes prayer walls, chortens, and long stretches of valley views where snow peaks begin to dominate the horizon. Shyala is a peaceful village surrounded by impressive mountain scenery and offers one of the best “wide valley” viewpoints in the Manaslu region. This shorter walking day helps your body adjust while giving you time to rest and enjoy the Himalayan atmosphere.

The trail is pleasant and not too long, passing small villages, yak grazing areas, and wide open valleys. Samagaun is one of the largest and most important villages in the Manaslu Circuit, known for Tibetan-influenced culture, monasteries, and strong local traditions. The village sits below Mount Manaslu and provides incredible scenery in every direction. Arriving early allows time to explore local monasteries, walk around the village, and prepare for tomorrow’s acclimatization hike.

This acclimatization day is essential for safe trekking and helps your body adapt before moving higher toward Larkya La Pass. The optional hike to Manaslu Base Camp is one of the major highlights, taking you closer to glaciers and mountain walls with dramatic views of Manaslu and surrounding peaks. Even if you don’t go all the way to base camp, a shorter hike to nearby viewpoints is highly recommended. Returning to Samagaun to sleep at lower altitude improves acclimatization and supports a safer crossing of the pass later in the trek.

Today you walk through a wide glacial valley with impressive mountain scenery and a more rugged alpine environment. The trail is moderate, with gradual ascents and open landscapes that feel very remote. Samdo is a traditional Tibetan-style village near the border area, where you can observe unique culture, lifestyle, and architecture. This village is one of the last permanent settlements before the Larkya La crossing and is a key stop for rest and altitude adjustment.

The trail climbs steadily today as you head toward Dharamsala, also known as Larkya Phedi (base camp for the pass). The scenery becomes stark and high-altitude with glaciers, rocky hills, and cold mountain air. This is an important preparation day—arrival in Dharamsala means you should rest, hydrate well, and sleep early because tomorrow is the longest and most challenging trekking day crossing Larkya La Pass.

This is the most challenging and most rewarding day of the trek. You start very early to cross the Larkya La Pass safely before strong winds and cloud build-up. The climb is gradual but demanding due to the altitude and cold conditions. From the top, you enjoy stunning panoramic views of snow peaks, glaciers, and alpine valleys—one of the greatest high-pass views in Nepal. After crossing the pass, you descend into a different valley system toward Bhimtang, where the landscape becomes greener and the air feels warmer. Reaching Bhimtang is a major achievement and a highlight of the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

After the high pass day, today feels easier as you descend through alpine valleys, pine forests, and riverside trails. The scenery changes dramatically, with more vegetation and warmer temperatures. This is also a great day for photography because the views of Manaslu and surrounding peaks remain impressive as you walk downhill. Goa is a comfortable village stop with lodges and a peaceful environment, making it a perfect final trekking section before returning toward road access.

You trek down to Dharapani, where the Manaslu route connects with the Annapurna region trail network. From Dharapani, continue by vehicle back to Kathmandu. The journey is long but scenic, passing through hills, rivers, and rural countryside. Once you reach Kathmandu, you check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed final evening—perfect for shopping, rest, or celebrating your successful Manaslu Circuit adventure.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your Manaslu Circuit Trek. Optional trip extensions such as Chitwan jungle safari, Pokhara tour, rafting, Nagarkot sunrise stay, or a Kathmandu–Bhaktapur cultural tour can be arranged upon request.